Every Year

"Emily."

She wasn't sure what to do next, so she decided to act as if he was any other acquaintance. She bowed her head slightly in acknowledgement and smiled politely, yet small.

"Thank you for the birthday wish Nikolas."

He nodded. "You're welcome." He then began making small circles in the grass with his foot. "So, any big plans for today?"

Emily inwardly groaned, wishing that people would stop asking that question, no matter how innocent the intent. Since her last 'big' birthday, she'd been working overtime to keep every one after small.

"No. Just dinner with Jason and Sonny."

She didn't have to mention Sam and Carly. Their attendance was a given. He still knew that much about her life.

"Sounds fun," he playfully smirked, longing for the banter they once engaged in. "Well, I hope you enjoy the rest of your day," he got out quickly, seeing Lucky approach. "Emily, I wish…"

She sighed and mustered a smile, knowing that sometimes she let herself wish the same thing. "I know."

He bowed slightly and walked away, hands in pockets and with a step that gave away a lot more than he intended to show.

Emily watched him walk away, unable to help herself, even when she heard Lucky return.

"Was that…?"

She nodded. "Yup. That was the old flame." She didn't blink in order to allow the tear that threatened to spill dry. When she was sure of its disappearance, she turned to face Lucky. "So, let's go play with my nephew."

Lucky allowed her to link her small arm in his, knowing that she chose to ignore the affect that Nikolas still had on her. After all, it was her day to have as she wished.

"I'd go with the navy blue," Emily said as she watched Sonny role his eyes and Carly smile in satisfaction.

"See Sonny," Carly grinned, "that wasn't hard, now was it?"

Sonny shook his head and looked at Emily. "You were supposed to be on my side."

Emily laughed. It had been around ten years that she'd known Carly. In the last few, she became like a sister to her. Emily liked to think that if she had a sister, she'd be like Carly.

A good hour later the five had finished dinner and were waiting for the waiter to bring the check. Emily looked around; she deemed herself lucky.

She had a brother who never let her down, a surrogate brother who did the same, a sister who never inhabited a dull moment, and a soon-to-be sister-in-law who loved her brother as much as he loved her. She grinned as she saw Carly and Sam attempting to get along for Jason's sake. Sam was even going as far as asking Carly to be in the wedding.

Sonny signed the check and the five exchanged hugs. Sonny, Carly, and Sam, went ahead as Jason lagged behind, his arm around Emily's shoulders.

"You okay?" he asked, noticing her distance.

"Trying to be," she admitted.

Knowing what she was thinking about, he pulled her closer. "Well, that's all you can do."

They stopped as they arrived at her car. "Thanks Jase."

He nodded. "You sure you don't want to-"

She chuckled and waved him off. "Don't worry; I won't be sulking by myself Jase. I'm meeting Drake and Robin for drinks."

He opened her door and watched her get in. He smiled as he thought about her dropping the 'Dr.' in front of 'Drake.' She was slowly coming to terms.

He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "See you later?"

She nodded and smiled. "Of course."

"Em, come on. One shot. That's it." Patrick coaxed.

Robin added, "And then we'll let you go."

Emily laughed. "Guys, I've already had a shot, and two beers. Doesn't that count?"

Patrick chuckled. "No. It's your birthday. You're twenty-something. That's one shot every ten years."

Emily looked for Robin for support, but Robin laughed and shrugged her shoulders.

"Hey, I wouldn't have come up with that logic, but it was pretty dang clever," she said, kissing Patrick.

Emily feigned disgust at the display. "Fine fine, children. I'll do it."

Ten minutes later…

"What are you doing?" Robin asked, coming out of the bathroom to find Emily paying the bill. "And where is Patrick?"

Emily smirked. "I'm paying for my half, and lover-boy is in the bathroom. I think five beers will make even Patrick have to pee."

Robin stuffed Emily's money back into her purse and paid the bill.

"Speaking of which," Emily continued, "I still don't understand how Patrick can drink all night and not appear wasted."

Robin scoffed, "You're one to talk. You've had a couple beers and two shots. You look the same as when you came in." She looked at the floor. She could've sworn it moved. "Me on the other hand…"

Emily laughed as she watched Robin begin to sway a little. She led her to the nearest chair. "And you, my friend, are possibly inebriated."

Robin nodded as Patrick returned to the table. "I think you're right, Sherlock."

Emily walked on the sidewalk, enjoying the night's breeze and the clarity it provided. She was a little grateful Patrick was too occupied with Robin to insist further that he walk her to her car. She needed the time to herself.

Well, almost to herself. She was well aware of the guards that followed, attempting to stay out of sight. She chuckled, long-ago accepting the minor inconvenience that guaranteed her life.

She opened the unlocked back door to the basement of Kelly's, Carly's soon to be the next 'it' club. Again.

Jason was already waiting at a dimly lit table, the only table set-up in the middle of construction area. A piece of chocolate cake and a candle were set in the middle, as well as two forks.

Emily smiled as she made eye-contact with her brother and sat down. Jason pulled out a match.

"Ready?"

She nodded as he lit the candle, the fact that Jason was not going to sing 'Happy Birthday' not a surprise. She blew out the candle. Jason took a bite and set his fork down. He wasn't a desert kind of person. He did it for Emily.

"This is the first birthday without Nikolas," she sighed, taking a bite. "It's kind of weird."

Jason leaned back, waiting for her to finish.

"I mean, I know he never did this, with us, but it's the end of my birthday and I won't be going home to him, you know?"

Jason shifted. "Do you want to?"

Emily finished the last bite. "Do I want to, what?"

Jason leaned forward. "To go home to Nikolas?" He watched several emotions dance in her eyes before she replied.

"I don't know what home is any more."

Jason felt his heart drop a little, not surprised at the fact that his once carefree sister was now a little pessimistic, but taken aback that the spirit she did have left seemed to be slipping a little each year.

Knowing she wasn't going to say anymore, he smiled. "Happy birthday Emily."

She returned the smile, one that was light and void of the heaviness of the preceding moment. "Thanks Jase."

A/N: I know, short. But wanted to end the chapter with the birthday. Look for another update this week…promise. And yes, it'll be longer.  Please R&R!

Ashly Gh-fan: Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the first story, and that you like this one. 

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